Jennie McCall
History & Background
Born 1957
Jennie grew up in the beautiful Scottish Borders where the local industry was textiles. Many of Jennie’s artistic influences came from all aspects of this industry and from the rich source of folklore and local traditions.
Jennie moved to Leeds where she gained a BA Hons in Graphic design at Leeds Polytechnic. She was awarded the Royal Society of Arts, winner Design Award in illustration and subsequently the Royal Society of Arts, Jacobs Memorial Award.
After graduating Jennie moved to London where she worked in Graphic Design before returning to Scotland for a few years and became involved in the local art community.
Jennie now lives in Loughborough and has successfully combined family life with further academic learning and artistic progression.
She presently works and teaches from her garden studio, focussing on the practice of ceramics .
Jennie has work in private collections and exhibits throughout the UK.
Jennie Mccall
Inspiration and Influences
From childhood I have taken inspiration from nature, tradition and fairy tale . I treasured the few school trips made to the Edinburgh museum of Scotland where I soaked up the vast display of visual delights from the beautiful to the grotesque.
Growing up I read and re-read the beautiful, dark fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. I was mesmerised by the evocative illustrations by Czech artist Jiri Trnka who would influence the development of my illustrating style and practice for many years.
Throughout my artistic development I have continued to research the deeper meaning of fairy tales, myth and legend. I explore these rich concepts and present my ideas through the medium of ceramics and wire.
Mostly my work is figurative, being a carrier of personality and emotion through which each tells his or her own story. Other pieces include large garden platters and installations created uniquely for inspiration and meditation in peaceful surroundings.
My materials are stoneware and porcelain clays enhanced by oxides and hi- firing glazes. Most of my sculpture is displayed best outdoors in natural surroundings where light and weather, leaf and moss settle comfortably on and within the work itself.
WAR HORSE
Based on tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table, this piece has been hand-built in stoneware clay and reduction fired. It is completely frost-proof
War Horse is for sale at West End Gallery.
‘Fruit Pots’- Available at West End Gallery
Jennie’s playful collection of pots are inspired by fruits such as apples, melons and pears. Firstly, Jennie makes plaster moulds from a variety of fruits. Pots are created using press moulding techniques and subtle hand crafting making each one unique. The pots are made from the highest quality Southern Ice porcelain and hi-firing glazes. All pots are dishwasher and food safe.
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